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Two Lehigh acres men face dog-fighting charges

By CJ HADDAD - | Apr 8, 2022

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announces that two Lehigh Acres men face multiple counts of dog fighting or baiting. Veterinarians at Lee County Domestic Animal Services treated 16 dogs "being kept in deplorable conditions," Marceno said at the press conference Thursday.

A Lehigh Acres father and son have been charged with multiple felony counts of dog fighting or baiting, as well as animal cruelty.

Anthony Pew, 58, and Anthony Pew Jr., 30, were arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday night following an investigation that resulted in the removal of 16 dogs alleged to have been used for dog fighting.

“This case is different than any other one we’ve investigated,” said Sheriff Carmine Marceno at a press conference Thursday. “This is the largest dog fighting case in recent Lee County history.”

On March 30, LCSO detectives arrived at West 9th Street in Lehigh Acres, where they found several dogs with “extensive injuries and evidence of possible dog fighting,” Marceno said. Marceno said their investigation at the first residence pointed them to a home at Aspen Avenue South in Lehigh Acres, Pew Jr.’s, where law enforcement discovered “more of the same.”

“These dogs were being kept in deplorable conditions, locked in cages filled with urine and feces, “ Marceno said. “Many were found malnourished and had open wounds.”

Marceno said at each home, investigators found several pieces of equipment consistent with dog fighting.

Veterinarians at Lee County Domestic Animal Services treated each dog rescued, and all are alive, though Marceno said many require constant medical care. Those veterinarians also confirmed wounds consistent with dog fighting, LSCO officials said.

“It sickens me that we’re still investigating these cases, and I will continue to dedicate any and all resources combating animal cruelty,” Marceno said.

Marceno said since the implementation of LCSO’s Animal Cruelty Task Force in 2020, they have investigated 148 cases and arrested 26 people in connection to animal cruelty crimes.

Pew is charged with seven cases of dog fighting or baiting, and one count of animal torture causing serious physical injury or death. Pew Jr. is charged with five counts of dog fighting or baiting. Both have been released on bond. Pew was arrested by LCSO in in 2006 for dog fighting or baiting.